Dangerous Side Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgeries

Two new studies indicate that gastric bypass surgery could have severely dangerous side effects, including severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) and even death.

Black Outs Causing Traffic Accidents

The first study demonstrated that gastric bypass surgery can result in a potentially dangerous hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) complication that may require quick treatment. It examined the history of three patients who suffered such severe hypoglycemia following meals, as a result of high insulin levels, that they became confused and sometimes blacked out. In two cases, this caused automobile collisions.

None of the patients responded to medication, and they all eventually needed partial or complete removal of the pancreas, the major source of insulin, in order to prevent them from undergoing dangerous declines in blood glucose.

"Dumping Syndrome"

A possible reason for the postprandial (after-meal) hypoglycemia they experienced is "dumping syndrome," which occurs when the small intestine fills too quickly with undigested food from the stomach. This can happen following gastric bypass surgery.

However, the failure of the symptoms to respond to treatment suggests there are other mechanisms at work as well, such as increased insulin sensitivity following the surgery, and abnormal hormone secretion patterns resulting from alteration of the intestinal tract.

Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia can include:

Confusion

Lightheadedness

Rapid heart rate

Shaking

Sweating

Excessive hunger

Headaches in the morning

Nightmares

Risk of Death

At the same time, other research has uncovered a higher-than-expected risk of death following surgery for obesity, even among younger patients. In a study of more than 16,000 subjects, more than 5 percent of men and nearly 3 percent of women aged 35 to 44 were dead within a year of the surgery.

Slightly higher rates were found in patients 45 to 54, and among patients 65 to 74 almost 13 percent of men and roughly 6 percent of women died. Among those aged 75 and older, half of the men and 40 percent of the women died.

Malnutrition, Infection, Shock to the System

The potentially deadly complications can include malnutrition, infection, and bowel and gallbladder problems. The surgery itself can be a dangerous shock to the system, particularly for older patients. Gastric bypass is the most common U.S. obesity surgery. About 160,000 people undergo gastric bypass surgery every year.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were a "quick-fix" solution to obesity? Surgery can do some pretty wonderful things, like repair your body after it is involved in a serious accident.

However, if you choose to use surgery to address your struggle with optimizing your weight, you are asking for MAJOR trouble. This is largely related to the fact that the cause of your problem is not surgically based. As these new studies show, if you choose a surgical solution for weight loss you are likely to experience surgical complications. I have previously mentioned the potentially fatal risks associated with gastric bypass surgeries.

The cost of this procedure is also an issue. Given that it costs nearly $30,000 to perform, from a cost perspective alone serious examination of other approaches would seem highly warranted.Unfortunately, it is an increasingly common approach conventional medicine has for obesity, yet its long-term success rate borders on 10 percent. And it is fraught with possible complications including:

As I've said before, when you use the wrong tool to "cure" any medical condition -- especially when it's a lifestyle-related medical concern like obesity -- you're virtually guaranteed to have problems. Of course, that hasn't stopped people, like the former half-ton man, from doing it anyway. People forget it didn't take them a day to gain all those extra pounds, and it will take considerably longer to lose it safely and smartly.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.